Abuse-resistant controlled-release opioid dosage form

Abstract

Abuse-resistant, controlled release opioid tablets are a combination containing an opioid antagonist such as naloxone at a level above that needed to suppress the euphoric effect of the opioid, if the combination were crushed to break the controlled release properties causing the opioid and opioid antagonist to be released as an immediate release product as a single dose. The controlled release nature of the tablet prevents the accumulation of orally effective amounts of opioid antagonist when taken normally. The opioid antagonist is contained in a controlled-release matrix and released, over time, with the opioid.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of treating a patient with an opioid agonist comprising:
 providing an analgesic composition in capsule form comprising, in % by weight:
 opioid agonist; and 
 an opioid antagonist in an amount that is orally effective to block an opioid effect caused by the opioid agonist; 
 ammonio methacrylate copolymer, NF; 
 up to about 5% sodium lauryl sulfate, NF; and 
 up to about 5% magnesium stearate, NF; 
 wherein said composition comprises 1) a controlled release formulation containing the opioid agonist that controls the release rate of the opioid agonist such that therapeutic agonist levels are maintained and 2) a controlled release formulation containing the antagonist which is not released unless the capsule is crushed but is released as an immediate release formulation when the capsule is crushed; 
 maintaining the capsule substantially intact; and 
 orally administering the substantially intact capsule to a patient. 
   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said opioid agonist is selected from the group consisting of morphine, oxycodone, levorphenol, meperdine, hydrocodone, codeine, dihydrocodeine, hydromorphone, propoxyphene, methadone, and oxymorphone and the opioid antagonist is selected from the group consisting of naloxone, naltrexone, N-cyclo propylmethyl-7,8-dihydro-14-hydroxynormorphinone, and 2-cyclopropyl z, -(1-hydroxy-1-methylethyl)-6,14-endo-ethano-tetrayhydrooripavine (or diphenorphine) and the pharmaceutically-acceptable salts thereof. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the opioid agonist is a pharmaceutically acceptable morphine and said opioid antagonist is naltrexone. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the opioid antagonist has a greater antagonistic effect when administered parenterally than when administered orally.